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Abhishek Bachchan buys Jaipur Kabaddi team

Since the launch of the
IPL, many B-town celebrities have joined the world of sports. While most of the
celebs have invested in cricket teams, Abhishek Bachchan has taken a new course
and has in fact acquired a pro-kabaddi team.

Confirming the acquisition
Abhishek reportedly twitted, “It is with great pride that I would like to
announce that I have bought the Jaipur Team for the Pro Kabaddi League. Need
your good wishes.” The acquisition comes following the announcement of Pro
Kabaddi League, the IPL-style avatar of kabaddi which has created a lot of buzz
since its launch a month ago.

According to reports, the
league — a joint initiative of industrialist Anand Mahindra and sports
commentator Charu Sharma — will have eight city-based franchises, who will play
on home and away basis.

“It is a matter of huge
pride. Over a year ago Charu pitched pro kabaddi to me. It overwhelmed me. It
is a cheap sport but the amount of skill required is immense. Having been a
sportsman and being a sports enthusiast, it’s very exciting to be able to be
part of this endeavour,” Abhishek said while talking to media persons in Mumbai
on Thursday.

He added, “The sport of
kabaddi is already immensely popular, and through the league I hope we can take
this great sport to a whole new horizon.”

Reports also say that the
owner of the Bangalore team would be decided in a few days. A pool of 100
players will be put up for auction between June 7 and 10 with 28 players coming
from foreign countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Canada, England,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
Turkmenistan.

The matches are to be held between
July 26 and August 31 and would be telecast live on Star Sports channel.

Reportedly, the league also
has the backing of the International Kabaddi Federation, Asian Kabaddi
Federation and Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India. The promoters have also roped
in the Singapore-based World Sports Group to market the event.

The matches will be played
on specially developed mats in state-of-art indoor stadia across eight cities.

Kabaddi is a wrestling
sport originating from the early civilization of India.